Alliance Magazine – November/December 2020

november/december 2020

A real Australian business magazine

GORGEOUS GLOUCESTER

Discover the gateway to the Barrington Tops World Heritage Area

HIGHLAND ESCAPE

Channel your inner Scotsman in the NSW Southern Highlands

Capital calling Check in to Canberra’s top hotels

Welcome.

WELCOME ABOARD As I write this article, Australian states are commencing to re-open their borders to allow interstate travel to occur. The efforts of all Australians in minimising the spread of COVID-19 is the envy of the world and has allowed us to start returning to some form of normality.

One of the bonuses of interstate restrictions imposed on travel is the creativity that our State and local governments, tourism bodies and airports have shown to source and promote new tourism opportunities focused on intra-state and domestic tourism. Already, Alliance has worked with a range of partners to open new routes between the Sunshine Coast and Cairns and the Sunshine Coast and Canberra. We have also commenced flying between Brisbane and the Whitsundays and Brisbane and Moranbah. The success of these routes has exceeded our expectations.

In Western Australia we have worked with key resources clients to provide seats for sale to the public from Perth into both Port Hedland and Newman. This has provided local residents with greater frequency of flights at affordable prices.

This month we also completed almost six months of flying of teams between the ACT, Queensland and New South Wales for the National Rugby League. The culmination of this flying was providing two charters for the Melbourne Storm, one for the players and one for their families, to the NRL Grand Final in Sydney and having the NRL Telstra Premiership Cup accompany the victorious Storm players on the return flight. We also flew the victorious Broncos women’s Grand Final team to win their third premiership in a row. I am very proud our team and their support of this flying considering all the border restrictions as well as the biosecurity requirements of the NRL. We are also proud to announce that we have been reappointed by BHP Olympic Dam for the next five years to provide services between Adelaide and Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam). Alliance has been providing these services since 2007 and the new contract will see Alliance flying jets into Roxby Downs and the newly upgraded airport for the first time in February 2020.

Finally, in a year where fundraising has proven challenging for many charities, we are immensely proud that the fundraising activities associated with Alliance’s successful Hangar to Hangar cycling event that occurred in South Australia in February this year has seen $118,275 being donated to Breast Cancer Network Australia. Alliance would like to sincerely thank everyone involved to achieve such a remarkable fundraising amount.

Keep safe, Lee Schofield Chief Executive Officer NOV/DEC 2020

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niche programs, big hearts

Supporting Rural Australia ...through unique rural assistance focussed programs like:

DONATE OR GET INVOLVED TODAY

Fodder Assistance Program

Fixing the Farm Program

This drought appeal campaign is providing meaningful support for farmers by delivering hay and other essential items to farmers who have no feed left for their livestock.

Tradies & volunteers doing mini makeovers on farms or community infrastructure, to help make life easier for those people feeding our nation.

ruralaid.org.au | 1300 327 624

14 28 AusBiz.

In this issue. upfront

Features

10 Entertainment and events

24 Caves for curious explorers

Dive into the latest podcasts, books, theatre, music and events.

14 Gorgeous Gloucester

A country escape at the foot of the Barrington Tops World Heritage Area.

18 Southern Highlands

How to enjoy a wee escape in the Scottish-inspired NSW Southern Highlands.

Check out AusBiz. at the back of the magazine.

MINING Hot new mining machinery on the scene AGRICULTURE Myth-busting Australia’s complex hemp industry

Underground rivers and cave cathedrals await.

28 Top hotels in Canberra

ENVIRONMENT Australia’s native bee population under threat

These swanky digs will take your capital getaway up a few notches.

INDUSTRY The price of plant power is about to drop

32 WA’s best beaches

From the mainland to the islands, we pick our favourite spots to swim on the west coast.

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BUSINESS Government support for SMEs post-COVID NOV/DEC 2020

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KIMBERLEY GRANDE HOTEL EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF THE KIMBERLEY

Nestled amongst the wilderness of the Kimberley’s you will find Kimberley Grande, the perfect place with spacious room to come home to after adventurous days.

Spend your day relaxing by our picturesque pool and indulging at our restaurant and bar facilities.

Numerous conference and function packages are available all year round

www.kimberleygrande.com.au 20 Victoria Highway, Kununurra WA 6743 Phone: 1300 9555 49 | 08 7918 7885 | Email: reservations@kimberleygrande.com.au

PUBLISHER’S

Welcome to the last issue of Alliance magazine for 2020.

What a wild year it’s been. The world is a different place and it’s up to us as individuals, as communities,and as a nation, to adapt to the new normal.

Although I do miss international travel, over the past six months I have had a renewed sense of just how amazing Australia is – there is such a diversity of landscapes and experiences on offer.

In this issue, we fitted in four states – the beautiful Scottish-influenced Southern Highlands and the gorgeous country town of Gloucester in New South Wales.

With Alliance now flying into Canberra, we rounded up some of the best hotels for business and pleasure in the ACT. We also pulled together a collection of caves to explore across Australia, and looked at ways that you can experience Uluru in the Northern Territory.

And finally, with summer almost here, it would be amiss of us to not include stunning Western Australia. It was tough narrowing down a list of the

EDITORIAL

Publisher: Michelle Hespe publisher@publishingbychelle.com Assistant Editor: Bethany Plint Art Director: Ryan Vizcarra

ADVERTISING

Sales Manager: Richard Bunting sales@publishingbychelle.com

CONTRIBUTORS

state’s best beaches, but we gave it whirl and chose 12 of the finest that will inspire your next getaway.

We are looking forward to sharing more stories with you again in 2021.

Hopefully by then, we will also be able to offer you Alliance magazine in print again. Enjoy Christmas, stay safe, and keep exploring this beautiful country that we are so lucky to call home.

Bethany Plint Michelle Hespe Olivia Bornstein Katrina Holden Samuel Steinberg Andy Hurt Darren Baguely Libby-Jane Charleston Ian Lloyd Neubauer

PRINTING

Blue Star PRINT 81 Derby St, Silverwater NSW 2128

Alliance is published by Publishing ByChelle (ABN: 78 621 375 853 ACN: 621 375 853) Level 1, 3 Westleigh Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 publishingbychelle.com The reproduction of any content, in whole or part without prior written permission by the publisher, Michelle Hespe, is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the content are those of the contributors, and not necessarily those of the publisher. All information in this magazine was believed to be correct at the time of publication, and all reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Publishing ByChelle cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. We apologise if we don’t get back to your email, as we do receive a large volume of communication via various online channels. Some images used in Alliance are from iStock and Getty images, and we make every effort to credit all contributors.

MICHELLE HESPE

If you would like to read the digital version of Alliance, please be our guest!

Simply go to trulyaus.com – which is dedicated to exploring and celebrating all things Aussie, giving travellers the lowdown on the best places in regional, rural and outback Australia.

november/december

2020

A real Australia n business magazine

GORGEOUS GLOUCESTER

Discover the gateway to the Barrington Tops World Heritage Area

HIGHLAND ESCAPE

Channel your inner Scotsman in the NSW Southern Highlands

Capital calling Check in to Canberr a’s top hotels

TRULYAUS.COM NOV/DEC 2020

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Route Map.

TRAVEL PLANNING Where we fly.

you can trust

Alliance Airlines is Australasia’s leading provider of air services.

PORT MORESBY

CHRISTMAS ISLAND G R O OT E EYLANDT W E I PA

KUNUNURRA

CAIRNS

CENTURY

TOWNSVILLE

PORT HEDLAND K A R R AT H A

CANNINGTON

CAPE PRESTON

W H I T S U N D AY C O A S T

MORANBAH ROCKHAMPTON GLADSTONE

MOOMBA

SUNSHINE COAST

ROMA

BRISBANE

PORT MACQUARIE

KALGOORLIE

PERTH

SYDNEY CANBERRA ADELAIDE

NOTE: MAPS ARE NOT TO SCALE

key Private charter flights Alliance Airlines & Virgin Australia commercial flights

NOV/DEC 2020

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Entertainment.

By: Bethany Plint

books

podcasts

Let’s Talk About Sects

Is This Anything?, Jerry Seinfeld October 2020, Simon & Schuster, memoir Compiling his favourite material across a fivedecade career, Seinfeld offers new insight into the unforgiving art of writing stand-up comedy.

To My Country, Ben Lawson

December 2020, Allen & Unwin, poetry The Australian actor’s first literary foray addresses the devastation that occurred during the bushfires of summer 2019/20, and to our fierce endurance of spirit.

The New Wilderness, Diane Cook

August 2020, Oneworld, fiction Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Cook presents a gripping novel about a mother’s battle to save her daughter in a world ravaged by climate change.

This true crime series investigates the creepiest cults from around the world in monthly instalments, diving into the nitty gritty of recruitment, cult practices and what happens when/if members get out.

Rusty’s Garage

theatre

The Picture of Dorian Gray

November 24 – December 19 at the Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney NSW This new interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s century-old moral fable, adapted and directed by Kip Williams, is devilishly wicked and packed with witticisms.

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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE

Music

Perth International Jazz Festival

November 6 – 8 at the State Theatre Centre, Perth EA Showcasing WA’s best local talent, this year’s festival promises a full weekend of world-class music with more familyfriendly and free events than ever before.

ART

Automotive commentator and journalist Greg Rust sits down with the most passionate riders, drivers and designers in the car industry to discuss the machines they’ve owned, raced, crashed and restored.

Know My Name

November 14 – July 4 at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra ACT Bringing together more than 300 works in varying mediums drawn from galleries across the country, Know My Name showcases the highly evocative work by female artists from 1900 to now.

Cat’s Pyjamas with The Chaser

In true Chaser fashion, this podcast explores the weirdest and most awful tales from history through a satirical lens, with titles like Failed Assassinations, Deranged Diets and Bat Sh*t Crazy Royals.

Entertainment.

Streeton

Australia’s iconic impressionist painter takes over the Art Gallery of New South Wales November 7 – February 14

From November, the Art Gallery of New South Wales will present a landmark exhibition of one of Australia’s most renowned impressionist painters, Arthur Streeton, whose brilliant evocations of light, land and sea captured the spirit and optimism of our country. Featuring a definitive collection of more than 150 paintings, drawings and watercolours from public and private collections, some not exhibited for more than 100 years, Streeton is an in-depth exploration of the artist’s prolific output over six decades.

Among Streeton’s greatest works are remarkable depictions of Sydney Harbour, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury River, as well as scenes from further afield inspired by locations including Egypt, Venice and the Italian countryside. Two

years in the making, Streeton brings together the artist’s famous sundrenched landscapes, pastoral paintings and visual narratives from around the world over a 60-year period.

The first Streeton exhibition in quarter of a century and the most comprehensive since his 1931 lifetime retrospective at the Art Gallery of NSW, Streeton presents works from museums and galleries around Australia alongside works from the Gallery collection and rarely seen works from private collections.

Tickets for the Streeton exhibition can be purchased through the Gallery website.

Guests are advised to adhere to social distancing, health and safety guidelines on display while visiting the Gallery and to stay updated through the NSW Health app.

“Streeton’s poetic and technically brilliant impressionist paintings were made during vivid periods of joy and periods of duress: from abundance and economic boom to brought, bushfire and war.”

Dr Michael Brand, Director of the Art Gallery of NSW NOV/DEC 2020

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Events.

Whats on.

the Australian National Maritime Museum

SHIP AND SHORE Climb aboard the HMAS Vampire Australia’s largest museum vessel is the last of our country’s big gun ships, serving the Royal Australian Navy from 1959-1986. In its sea days, this Destroyer ship was equipped with twin turrets, anti-aircraft guns and five torpedo launchers. Explore the drama of life aboard Vampire in Action Stations, an immersive navy experience.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year On loan from the iconic Natural History Museum in London, this extraordinary collection of images allows us to witness unique moments in the natural world, encounter the diversity of life on earth and reflect on humanity’s role in its future. The photographs are categorised into Behaviours, Habitats, Black and White, and Animal Portraits.

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General admission is free. Open 9:30-5pm daily.

For more information or to purchase tickets to special exhibitions, visit sea.museum

Events.

Ocean Talks: 2020 Series For those who can’t make it to the museum in person, you can still get your fix with the newly created Virtual Ocean Talks.

From chasing sea monsters, ocean science discoveries and indigenous stories, the dynamic talk series features a range of fascinating marine experts, scientists, authors, filmmakers and adventurers who will challenge everything you know about our oceans.

Under Southern Skies This immersive exhibition explores the story of navigation and voyaging around Australia through a unique lens. Bark paintings, compasses, telescopes, historic portraiture and model ships aim to capture the essence of sea discovery around Australia as well as the role the night sky and its constellations have played in guiding the explorers of the past.

SEPT/OCT 2020

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Getaway

s u o e g r o G

r e t s e c u o l G Follow the Bucketts Way through the lush Barrington Coast hinterland and you’ll discover the charming country town of Gloucester; the gateway to the spectacular Barrington Tops World Heritage area.

WORDS: Bethany Plint

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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE

Getaway EVERY TIME I drive over the Hexham Bridge at the northern end of the M1, I’m immediately transported back to my childhood. Countless basketball tournaments and surfing trips drew my family north over the years. This time I’m in the passenger seat of my friend’s Mazda CX3 in a three-car-convoy with five of my girlfriends. It’s not long before we’re passing the always busy Heatherbrae Pie shop just off the Pacific Motorway. I make a mental note to stop off on the way home for one of their famous fruit pies; apple or cherry, depending on what’s in season.

The minute we turn off the motorway towards Gloucester, the steady weekender traffic

dissipates and monotonous freeway bush scrub opens up to vast paddocks grazed by cattle and enormous sheds that dwarf their neighbouring farmhouses. The Bucketts Way is a 150-kilometre tourist drive that winds its way through some of the mid-New South Wales coast’s richest agricultural farmland. Sometimes referred to as Thunderbolts Way, the road runs parallel to the 100-yearold North Coast Railway before crossing the Avon River and continuing into the Northern Tablelands. We travel as far as Faulkland and already feel like we’re in the heart of the country, despite being a mere hourand-a-half from the coastal city of Newcastle. 

NOV/DEC 2020

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When we arrive at our accommodation – a farmstay just ten minutes off the main road towards Barrington Tops – we’re greeted by an Akubra-clad farmer who escorts us up the long driveway in his 4×4 buggy. Longford Farmstay sits atop a gentle hill, overlooking a picturesque landscape of grassy meadows, perfectly uniform rows of crops and a river that forms the natural barrier of the property. A few of us wander inside, noticing the high-spec to which the 100-year-old farmhouse has been renovated. The two indoor fireplaces and ducted air-conditioning are a welcome sight considering the temperature is barely double digits.

Outside, the others are slowly edging towards the fence where a mother cow and her calf are grazing on the ankle-high grass just metres from the house. Our host tells us they’ve recently welcomed 40 new calves. We spot them dotted along the landscape from the freshly painted white fence along the driveway down towards the grassy banks where the Gloucester River snakes away into a thick expanse of bush.

We get the fire going just before the ombre-purple of dusk morphs into a milky black sky. The silence is spoiled only by the crunch of a waterthin with an outrageous cheeseto-cracker ratio and the far-off moo of a cow. The country air is intoxicating and we all half joke about packing up and moving out here.

The mountains that loom over the western side of Gloucester are more like a pile of potter’s offcuts; higdlypigdly boulders morphed together with thick greenery growing through the cracks. The wonky rock formation belongs to Barrington Tops National Park, where we head the following morning for an early bushwalk.

The road out to Barrington Tops is one of the most fun I’ve ever driven. It’s mostly sealed (the last 10 kilometres is dirt road) with tight corners cut into the side of the hills.

Every crest reveals a new expanse

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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE

of undulating hills peppered with sheep or cattle. After heavy rainfall in previous weeks, the water crossings (known as fords) are particularly sketchy. I was glad my friend offered up her car for the weekend; I’m sure my Golf would’ve been washed away.

We opt for the Gloucester River Trail; a gentle hour-or-so return walk that dips and winds through the fern and moss-coated gullies. Though the river is always in earshot, it’s not until we reach the end of the trail that we see the crystal-clear water flowing over a smooth bed of rocks. Here, an opening in the trees presents the

IMAGES: Destination NSW, Tourism Australia, The Crepe and Myrtle, Accom Holidays and Tourism Advancing Gloucester.

Getaway

Getaway

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: CLongford Farmstay from above, The Crepe Myrtle in Stroud, Thunderbolts Lookout in Barrington Tops National Park, misty morning in Gloucester, walking trail through Gloucester’s countryside.

perfect location for an impromptu photo shoot. Though still a crisp winter morning, the sun filters through the tree canopy shooting beams into the glistening river.

Stomachs now grumbling, we make a start back towards Gloucester for lunch. The Roundabout Inn appears to be the most happening place in town.

We find a table in the beer garden, soaking up even more of the intense winter sun and sip on Barrington Blondes while we wait for our food.

Shortly after each buzzer goes off, someone returns to the table with something delicious; steak sandwiches oozing with relish, chicken schnitzels in their crispy golden crumb cladding and bowls of calamari stacked dangerously high. I initially regret ordering a salad until I taste the sweet and tangy vinaigrette that perfectly balances out the dish. I’m happy with my decision (especially since I ordered a huge bowl of beer battered fries with aioli on the side.)

Like many country towns, Gloucester’s town centre is based around a single road. A seemingly disproportionate amount of the storefronts belong to real estate agents. The rest are made up of boutiques, bakeries, take away shops and outdoorsy stores selling everything from camping gear to spare tyres. For coffee, we try Roadies Cafe and are not disappointed. For something sweet, we pop into DD’s

Little Lolly Shop near the Visitor Information Centre. Wishing we weren’t already stuffed from lunch, we get a whiff of the freshly-baked pies from Hebby’s Bakery, just around the corner from Billabong Park.

It’s the second Saturday of the month so we have a wander around the Gloucester Farmers Market. The open-air market is a hive of activity, with visitors and locals perusing the wide array of offerings; locally bred, grass-fed beef, hand-crafted soaps, infused olive oils, artisan cheeses and the locally-grown fruit and veg.

After another night at the homestead, heads clear and lungs full of fresh country air, we make a start back home towards the Central Coast.

But first, coffee. Half an hour down the road, we stop in Stroud for fuel.

We find a cosy-looking cottage whose signage promises coffee and cake, but inside we discover there is far more on offer. Part-gift shop, part-providore, The Crepe Myrtle is packed to the rafters with trinkets, homewares and food stuffs.

After choosing something sweet from the cabinet, we head outside to find a gorgeous outdoor area with perfectly kept garden beds surrounding the “tea rooms,” each one named after the flowers that grow from their surrounding planter boxes.

Basking in the sun with scones on the way, I wonder why I don’t plan trips like these every other weekend.

NOV/DEC 2020

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Southern Highlands

ROLLING THROUGH THE HIGHLANDS

A few bonnie days in NSW’s Southern Highlands and you’ll feel as though you had a wee escape into the heart of Scotland.

Words: Michelle Hespe

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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE

Southern Highlands

ROM A NCE AT T HE ROBERTSON Towering conifers, sprawling fig trees, neatly trimmed hedges and Weeping Willows adorned with fairy lights create film-like surrounds as we cruise up and around The Robertson Hotel’s gravelled circular drive. A statue of Mary imported from the Vatican graces the space, and a stone artist’s impression of baby Pan is resting playfully in the gardens with his flute at the ready.

Smoke from the hotel’s many fireplaces rises against a star-filled sky and peals of laughter escape from the warmly lit windows of the restaurant where we’re booked in for a special Christmas in July feast.

We park our car and head towards the entrance of the famous hotel that has had many incarnations and numerous names since it was built in 1924 – Hotel Robertson, Hotel Ranelagh, Ranelagh Country Club, Ranelagh House and Fountaindale Grand Manor.

Bar the now-mandatory masks worn by the impeccably suited staff buzzing about, it’s as though we have stepped back into the 20s. At the manor’s entrance, water trickles from stone wine barrels upon which bare-bottomed cherubs sit like cheeky guardians, the light spilling from dormer windows adding to the dollhouse charm. Chandeliers light up the lobby’s grand hallway, where we’re welcomed and quickly ushered to our seats before an enormous fireplace with logs crackling away.

Napkins are slipped across our laps and as if on cue for our arrival, a harpist seated beside a Christmas tree heavily laden with gold baubles begins to play. All voices hush to an appreciative murmur.

Three suitably UK Christmas favourites are served – pumpkin soup and steaming hot bread rolls with lashings of butter; sliced ham and turkey with baked vegetables, creamy  NOV/DEC 2020

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Southern Highlands

FROM TOP: House on the hill in Old Town Joajda & the entrance to Joadja Distillery.

whipped mash and a hearty slathering of gravy; and then perfectly moist Christmas pudding with a brandy sauce to round things off.

The feast wraps up with tea, coffee and a rising crescendo emanating from the kitchen – and then a Scottish marching band takes everyone by surprise as the members strut into the room with kilts firmly in place, followed by a jolly bell-ringing Santa who draws the lucky door prizes.

We sip on a lovely Tertini Pinot Noir and then like all good highland folks, retire to the moody 1920s bar area where we make ourselves comfortable on Chesterfield couches covered in velvet cushions. Soft merino blankets are on offer to spread across our knees and the staff continually stock the fireplaces.

Later we wander around the hotel’s many corridors and sitting areas filled with bookshelves, display cabinets, intricately carved side boards and coffee tables – ornaments, books and lamps from yesteryear sitting like artfully scattered stories of what might have happened between these walls.

We find our suite and love its

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high ceilings, king-sized mahogany bed and views of the gardens and driveway below. The toilets still have the original pull-chains that I haven’t seen since I was a child.

The Robertson’s many previous owners have ensured that its original Gatsby-esque charm has been preserved. The grand entry staircase, ornate ceilings, many chandeliers and the stained glass windows installed by monks are just some of the incredible details highlighting its wonderfully luxurious past.

In fact, the hotel was named the ‘Most Luxurious Hotel in the Commonwealth’ by the media a year after opening in 1925. Back then it boasted a nine-hole golf course, two tennis courts, croquet, lawn bowls, billiards, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and an on-site mechanic who looked after guest’s cars. And it was the first hotel in Australia to have phone lines in every of its 100 rooms. Golfers were given a whistle on a string when heading out to play, so they could be located when the famous ‘Robbo mists’ rolled in.

Alf Stephens (of Alf Stephens & Sons) was the builder of the manor.

Stephens employed only the best craftsmen in the region to create the masterpiece and he was best mates with none other than Sir Donald Bradman. The two spent many a day and evening on the premises, enjoying all that the hotel had to offer.

If only the walls could talk.

And in some senses, they do. In one of the staff change rooms, the odds on several horse races of the day are etched on to the wall – with the name Phar Lap coming up more than once.

In 1947, the building was converted into a Franciscan Friary and seminary – thus the installation of stunning stained glass windows, meticulously assembled rock walls and numerous fountains. Franciscan monks kept peacocks and many other birds and

Southern Highlands

animals on the grounds, as they were known as protectors of all creatures great and small. Animals seem to be a recurring theme – the hotel was also the set for the cult movie BABE, with many of the scenes shot in and around the buildings.

Today, Sydney hotelier Con Kotis and his wife Lisa own the hotel. After falling in love with the place in 2011, they are committed to slowly bringing the manor back to its original glory with a multi-million dollar overhaul.

They have big new plans that have just been passed by council that include a new swimming pool for the locals and visitors, hot spas reminiscent of European spas, a large modern conference centre, family-friendly eco cabins, and a petting zoo. An artist’s studio will also be installed in an existing cabin in the rainforest next to the hotel, and The Robertson’s very own train station is in the process of being lovingly restored.

IMAGES: Jeff Atkinson & The Robertson Hotel

W H ISK Y LOV I NG AT JOA DJA We enjoy a leisurely breakfast of bacon and eggs in another of the hotel’s light-filled dining rooms and then head off down the drive.

There’s nothing quite like a crisp, blue-sky day with an early morning mist in the Southern Highlands, where most residents are devoted to maintaining their English-style gardens and enormous neatly trimmed hedges that have taken a century or more to grow.

Rolling green hills, paddocks bursting at the seams with produce, vineyards graced with sunshine and cool evening breezes and dams the size of small lakes form a constant backdrop for cruising along the winding roads that pass through quaint villages dotted with sandstone homes, cafes, churches and gift stores.

And there’s a good reason why

FROM LEFT: Private tour of the distillery & sunset at The Loch.

so many of the town names and street signs have a Scottishness to them – Bundanoon, Brigadoon, Balmoral, Braemar, Glenquarry, Craigieburn, Invergowrie and Highland Glen to name a handful.

Much of this Scottish influence can be traced back to Joadja Town – a now-abandoned historic settlement established in the late 1870s by the Australian Kerosene Oil and Mineral Company. By heating shale in unique D-shaped iron ‘retorts’, the company produced kerosene, candles, wax and oil between the 1870s and 1911.

Hundreds of Scots were employed as shale miners and on the side – lo and behold – the stilling and brewing of sly grog began.

Today the Spanish-born Jimenez family own the property and in 2014, the Scottish heritage and history of bootlegging inspired them to set up Joadja Distillery in the heart of the valley surrounded by mountains where

the mine’s crazily steep inclinator once crawled up and down.

Now visitors can partake in a whisky tour and some wee drams that were created in hand-picked ex-sherry barrels that pay homage to the owners’ homeland. It’s a truly unique experience as Joadja is one of only a handful of single malt whisky distilleries in the world to grow their own barley on site, and the property has its own natural springs. The distillery also produces fortified wine, a dry gin, anis liqueur, 100-proof rum and a delicious brandy.

Guests can take a drive through the old town and see the rows of empty shacks where once around 1,000 miners and their families lived and worked. There are also many remnants of the mine that have survived – such as brick furnaces and part of a railway.

On your way out of Joadja, swing into the lovely Joadja Estate – a picturesque winery where you can  NOV/DEC 2020

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Southern Highlands

FROM LEFT: Truffle hunting at Blue Frog Truffles in Sutton, & delicious food at The Loch

book a wine tasting with a cheese board. They do a lovely sparkling chardonnay pinot noir and a light and crisp summer rose. For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss a sip or few of their boysenberry liqueur.

GOING FOR GOLD The Southern Highlands (that expands out into the Southern Tablelands) has an abundance of food and farm experiences, but as it’s truffle season (June to August) we’ve decided to include a truffle lunch at the aptly Scottish named The Loch in our itinerary. And so we thought it wise to gain some fancy fungi knowledge beforehand.

Let’s face it – much like oysters, truffles are an acquired taste and many find them too pungent to enjoy, while others consider them to be culinary gold.

Wayne Haslam and his son Justin at Blue Frog Truffles in Sutton aim to de-mystify the mighty funky fungi through talks and tours of their farm, where guests can venture into the paddock with dogs and their handlers, locating and digging up truffles.

“The fungus infects the roots of

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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE

the trees and lives in a symbiotic relationship with the tree, breaking down minerals in the soil, otherwise unavailable to the tree. In return the tree provides sugars and carbohydrates for the truffles, which are the annual fruiting body of the fungus,” Wayne explains to us. Pretty simple so far.

“A standardised testing scheme has been refined and introduced by the Truffle Growers Association in Australia, where black truffle inoculation of hazelnut and/or oak seedlings can be validated and evaluated prior to purchase by prospective growers. Before this, it was really down to being lucky if you had the right trees and conditions for truffles to grow on your land,” he says.

Wayne explains that sometimes you might find a rare truffle that has broken the ground and is poking out of the soil, but really, dogs are essential for locating truffles.

“They used to use pigs because you didn’t have to train them, but pigs love to eat them so you lose a lot or have to fight for them,” Wayne explains. “Believe me, there are many older European truffle farmers who

fought pigs for truffles and now have fingers missing!”

We have a great time in the rows of almond trees, following the dogs around and getting as excited as them about their golden finds. Our dog enthusiastically taps his paw – X marks the spot – and grins from ear to ear when he receives his treats from his handler – little pieces of cabanossi.

Once the truffles are marked for Wayne with a pink flag on a steel rod, off the dog trots in search of more treasure.

So that we can have a go at foraging, Wayne hands us our hightech truffle digging equipment (a tablespoon) and after we dig up our very own truffle, he wraps it in a napkin for us to take home and enjoy.

“They’re as thick as boots, just scrub it down at home,” he says while waving us off.

Wayne later emails us a few basic recipes to get over our truffle cooking fear and I opt for his son Justin’s favourite – truffle scrambled eggs with bacon on toast. You pop the eggs in a container with the truffle for a day or so and they absorb the flavour through the shell. Scramble and serve.

You can’t get more simply gourmet than that.

F U NGI F I E L D DAY AT THE LOCH Well, actually, you can really ramp up the gourmet Richter scale in many places in this gorgeous region, and our Scottish-themed gourmet getaway came to a glorious end with ‘Fungi Field Day’ at The Loch.

The gorgeous estate, which is only six kilometres from the heart of historic Berrima, hosts regular food, music and business events and is owned and run by the extremely talented business woman and chef Brigid Kennedy.

Brigid has turned what was once

Southern Highlands FROM LEFT: Exploring Old Town Joajda & the rustic restaurant at The Loch.

an old barn into one of the most sophisticated and luxurious (yet somehow understated, in a rustic Tuscan villa kind of way) places to stay in the region. Complete with sprawling gardens for al fresco dining and dancing, and a vegetable patch that would make any green thumb jealous, the place is an oasis of style.

When we arrive the garden is alive with music, laughter and the tinkling of champagne glasses filled with a sparkling red from Cherry Tree Hill winery, down the road in Sutton Forest. Soon we’re seated at our own antique wooden dining table in the middle of the lawn, with an exciting fungi-filled menu before us.

The farmer who grew the truffles – Dick Groot Obbink of Durran Durra Truffles – delivers a fascinating talk about his own experience as a truffle grower, explaining the mind-boggling array of scents you can depict in any given truffle. We’re helped out with a very informative graphic of a truffle aroma wheel to refer to as the numerous dishes come out.

Brigid takes to the stage (aka her garden) throughout the five delectable courses to explain our meals – and as anyone will know who has eaten Brigid’s food, the perfectly balanced, truffle- and mushroominfused dishes are as beautiful in appearance as they are in taste.

The first entrée is tempura pink, yellow and white Li-Sun oyster mushroom topping Agedashi dōfu matched with a Tertini Riesling, followed by Gruyere fondue with Durra Durran truffle shavings (that Brigid applies herself, popping from table to table like the impish dynamo she is) served with croute and baby pickles.

The mains are just as good – Wafuglazed Loch beef fillet squares on Li-Sun Shimeji harvest rice paired with a Rotherwood Estate Pinot Noir and Loch-foraged Saffron Milk Cap mushrooms preserved in salsa verde, layered with prosciutto and Fontina (Italian washed-rind cow’s milk cheese) lasagne with a perfectly balanced pine nut salad.

Dessert is mouth-wateringly zingy – lemon curd layered with blood orange jelly on a chocolate crust with pink grapefruit and native lime drizzle.

To balance things out, it’s served with Joadja Estate’s much-loved boysenberry liqueur.

As the sun slips down toward a field of horses grazing, creating a paddockto-sky sunset of glowing orange with soft swirls of hot pink and purple ribbons, we sit in Brigid’s garden and watch as one by one, our dining friends disappear. We wave goodbye, feeling rather smug about having booked a night at The Loch.

Now we simply have to cross the garden, ascend the stairs and fall into our queen-sized bed in The Argyle Room, which, fittingly, has sweeping highland views fringed with pear capital trees. There’s nothing more to do on our little Scottish getaway, except climb into bed and pour ourselves a wee dram from Joadja. As the Scots would say: Slàinte Mhath!

FACT FILE therobertsonhotel.com joadjadistillery.com.au joadjawinery.com.au bluefrogtruffles.com.au theloch.net.au NOV/DEC 2020

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Cave adventures FOR CURIOUS EXPLORERS

Australia has no shortage of natural wonders, but its incredible array of caves is truly astounding.

From underground rivers and glowing caverns, to cave cathedrals and sunken forests, here are some of Australia’s best caves to explore.

Words: Olivia Bornstein

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Adventure

JENOLAN CAVES, NSW

The Jenolan Caves are the oldest known open caves in the world.

Located just two hours from Sydney, the Jenolan Caves are the perfect day trip destination. Visitors can explore the vast limestone caverns and narrow passageways – you may even spot a rare marine fossil. While tourists have access to eleven unique caves, more experienced cavers can also venture into narrow underwater passages on a guided tour. Jenolan is the perfect weekend getaway for families, couples or even a solo retreat.

Stay at the historic Jenolan Caves House and enjoy dinner at Chisholm’s Restaurant. Take advantage of your time in the stunning Jenolan region and visit Secret Creek Sanctuary and The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden. Whether you’re seeking a thrilling nature adventure or a relaxing weekend away, the Jenolan Caves area has it all.

BUCHAN CAVES RESERVE, VIC

At Buchan Caves Reserve, there is never a dull moment. From touring prehistoric caves, four-wheel-driving, rock climbing and even horseback riding, your visit will be filled with fun. The Reserve is jointly held by the state and the Gunaikurnai Nation, who care for the land and preserve their unique culture. The most popular cave sites are Fairy Cave and Royal Cave, which feature incredible pillars of stalactite and stalagmite. Visitors can venture into the beautifully lit caverns, many of which have rippling pools and underground rivers. The Buchan Caves are about a five hours’ drive from Melbourne, but are undoubtedly worth the trek.

CAPRICORN CAVES, QLD

The best word to describe Capricorn Caves is magical. Surrounded by lush rainforest and incredible wildlife, you will be transported to another realm. Walk through the vine-covered entrance into the famous Cathedral Cave – a true wonder of the world.

Here, you’ll learn about the geological history of the cave and experience its echoing acoustics. For the more ambitious cave explorer, check out The Flowerpot, Jack’s Beanstalk and Fat Man’s Misery. Just 23 kilometres from Rockhampton, Capricorn Caves is a quick and easy weekend escape.

Onsite accommodation options include cabins, the Lodge and a spacious caravan park.

CHILLAGOE-MUNGANA CAVES NATIONAL PARK, QLD

Immerse yourself in nature at the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park in North Queensland. The impressive cave system has formed over the past 400 million years through erosion and weathering.

Today the caves are filled with dazzling mineral deposits, as well as several unique wildlife species. Bats, spotted pythons, insects and spiders can all be found within the caverns of Chillagoe – the fossilised bones of the extinct giant kangaroo were even found here! Popular caves include Donna Cave, Trezkinn Cave and Bauhinia Cave.

MOLE CREEK KARST NATIONAL PARK, TAS

This incredible natural wonder is found in the Great Western Tiers of Tasmania. In addition to its caves, Mole Creek features countless springs, streams, sinkholes and gorges. Marakoopa Cave is perhaps the most famous cave, as it houses a colony of glow worms that create a dazzling picture. Further into Marakoopa is the Great Cathedral, a vast cavern with near-perfect acoustics. Visitors delight in the underground streams and pools which create a cool, relaxing atmosphere.

Not to be missed is King Solomons Cave, home to gorgeous stalactites and stalagmites that stretch from floor to ceiling. Within the caves you can find cave spiders and a variety of other creepy-crawlers. Although other caves are scattered across the  NOV/DEC 2020

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Adventure

park, only a few are accessible due to recent conservation efforts.

GUNNS PLAIN CAVE, TAS

Gunns Plain Cave was first discovered in 1906 by a possum hunter whose prey escaped into the cave entrance. The very hole the possum disappeared into is still the main public entrance into the impressive cavern. Once inside, visitors can enjoy a dazzling array of helictites, flowstone, stalactites and stalagmites.

If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot the elusive platypus or Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish swimming in the numerous underground streams.

Just 30 kilometres from Ulverstone, this magical underworld is a perfect day trip for the Tassie local. For the best experience, contact a local tour guide who knows the ins and outs of the cave and its unique history.

JEWEL CAVE, WA

Just a 10-minute drive from Augusta, Jewel Cave is an absolute must for any cave enthusiast. It boasts cave coral, helictites, pendulites, stalagmites and flowstone – a trove of geological

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treasures. Incredibly, the fossilised bones of extinct Tasmanian Tigers were discovered within the cave after 3,000 years. Visitors can even see a complete tiger fossil at the Jewel Cave Centre. This crystal cave is one of the most popular caves in Western Australia, and for good reason. Make sure you book a guided tour in advance so you can fully enjoy the stunning displays. On your way out, don’t forget to stop by the Cave Centre, where you can enjoy a snack at the cafe or buy a few trinkets for your loved ones.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Capricorn Caves in Queensland, Jenolan Caves in New South Wales & Ngilgi Cave in Western Australia.

Adventure

NGILGI CAVE, WA

Ngilgi Cave, formerly known as Yallingup Cave, is truly a thing of beauty. The cave’s new name celebrates the Aboriginal spirit Ngilgi, a good spirit who defeated an evil foe. Only a 5-minute drive from Yallingup, there’s no excuse for not exploring this stunning cave. A web of boardwalks allows you to see every chamber of this wonderland. Calcite crystals sparkle along the walls and ceilings, and you can even get your hands on some at the ‘touch table.’

Expert guides will show you the way through the labyrinth, interweaving the tales of Aboriginal mythology with natural history. This cave walk is relatively easy, making it the perfect destination for kids and grandparents.

LAKE CAVE, WA

NARACOORTE CAVES, SA

Cave explorers and scientists alike flock to the Naracoorte Caves year after year. Of the 28 caves in the region, just four are accessible to the public. The rest are the sites of active geological and prehistoric research, but may slowly open to experienced cavers. The Naracoorte Caves are listed as a World Heritage site due to their incredibly rich fossil deposits.

For more than 500,000 years, the caves acted as roosting sites and pitfall traps, leading to an enormous collection of animal fossils.

Caving tours allow you to explore beyond public access sections, so be sure to book a tour to escape the crowds. With so much to explore in the surrounding forests and walking trails, plan to stay a couple nights at the Wirreanda Bunkhouse or campsites.

Immerse yourself in the prehistoric wonders of Naracoorte and enjoy a nice campfire story – the perfect escape from urban mundanity.

IMAGES: Destination NSW, Visit Victoria and Tourism Western Australia

Lake Cave is nothing less than astounding. Visitors enter the deep crystal chamber from the floor of an ancient forest. Karri trees tower above you as you descend into the sparkling depths of the cave. The appropriatelynamed Lake Cave features a stunning lake that reflects the crystal structures hanging from the cave ceiling.

This ‘suspended table’ of crystals nearly touch the surface of the lake, creating an incredible mirror effect.

After pulling yourself away from this gorgeous display, ascend to the Lake Cave Deck. Here, you can enjoy a spectacular treetop view of the forest.

Without a doubt, Lake Cave is one of the wonders of the world and is well worth a visit.

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Top Hotels

Capital stays in

a rr e b n Ca

Whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, or craving a staycation, the capital city has no shortage of exquisite accommodations. Immerse yourself in Canberra’s historical gems, or opt for state-of-the-art modern design. Either way, these hotels in Canberra will have you returning again and again.

WORDs:Olivia Bornstein

1JAMALA WILDLIFE LODGE

Calling all animal lovers and thrill seekers. At Jamala Wildlife Lodge, guests come face-to-face with some of the world’s most exotic animals. Nestled in the heart of the National Zoo & Aquarium, Jamala’s African-inspired suites seamlessly transport visitors into the wild animal world.

Choose between Ushaka Lodge, a Giraffe Tree House, or a Jungle Bungalow, each of which provides an immersive wildlife experience. Feed giraffes from your balcony and lounge alongside monkeys, lions, tigers, and bears. The animal encounters don’t stop there. Head down to the Rainforest Cave, where you’ll dine next to lions and hyenas while enjoying dishes inspired by African flavours. Needless to say, Jamala Wildlife Lodge is unlike any other hotels in Canberra – truly a once-in-a-lifetime animal experience.

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Top Hotels

2

AVENUE HOTEL CANBERRA

Nestled in the bustling CBD, guests are just a heartbeat away from the Canberra Centre, where they can indulge in some serious retail therapy.

Avenue Hotel’s luxurious suites and apartments come with private balconies overlooking the cityscape, as well as access to a 24-hour gym and the in-house restaurant, Marble & Grain, which uses fresh produce from its very own farm.

3

HYATT HOTEL CANBERRA

Channelling 1920s Art Deco, the hotel’s gorgeous design transports guests to a time of opulence and glamour. Rooms are elegantly decorated, with marble bathrooms and plush beds.

Guests have no shortage of dining choices. The Promenade Café offers a curated menu of seasonal gourmet delights, while afternoon tea at the Tea Lounge is an indulgent, cake-filled affair.

4

OVOLO NISHI

Experience city living at its finest at Nishi Boutique Hotel Canberra, located in the CBD near Commonwealth Park. Each room is uniquely decorated with vintage furniture and contemporary artworks, creating a cosy, artistic ambiance. Check out Monster Kitchen & Bar at happy hour, where you can mingle while enjoying Japanese and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes.

5HOTEL KURRAJONG CANBERRA

Dive into the past at the historic Hotel Kurrajong Canberra, which first opened its doors in 1926. The hotel has been home to many distinguished guests, including prominent politicians and Prime Ministers.

Today, the hotel combines old-fashioned elegance with modern luxury, delighting guests from around the world.

A wide range of rooms and suites cater to every visitor, each featuring a stunning view of the manicured gardens. To complete your Kurrajong experience, indulge in local fare at Chifley’s Bar & Grill, where nostalgia meets modernity.

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Top Hotels

8CROWNE PLAZA CANBERRA

Comfort is key at Crowne Plaza Canberra, where you’re guaranteed a brilliant night’s sleep with premium beds and dedicated quiet zones.

Enjoy the greenery of Glebe Park from your scenic room, and be sure to spend an afternoon by the pool. For business travellers, Crowne Plaza caters to your every need. The hotel has conference rooms, a 24-hour business centre, and is close to the city’s corporate hub.

6

LITTLE NATIONAL HOTEL

The modern traveller wants affordable luxury, convenience, and sleek design.

Little National Hotel ticks every single box. Located in the Parliamentary Triangle, Little National’s simple elegance and functional amenities create a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for the solo business traveller or couple on-the-go. Health and fitness junkies can enjoy the fully equipped gym and luxurious day spa, or even take an instructor-led class.

9QT CANBERRA

A popular hotspot for Canberra’s leading executives and politicians, QT Hotel puts a playful spin on official business.

Elegant decorations honour the country’s past political leaders, while vibrant designs create a youthful aesthetic.

Taste the mouth-watering menu at Capitol Bar & Grill and enjoy a drink in the exclusive, members-only QT Lounge.

7

EAST HOTEL

Searching for a kid-friendly, centrally located place to stay? Look no further.

East Hotel is just a five-minute walk from loads of delicious restaurants and trendy boutiques. The hotel’s ‘Kids Cubbies’ come with bunk beds, XBox games and a snack bar – guaranteed to delight kids and parents alike.

Enjoy dinner at Agostinis, a family-run Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta, pizza and gelato. Then head to Joe’s Bar once you’ve put the kids to bed.

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FACT FILE Jamalawildlifelodge.com.au Avenuehotel.com.au Hyatt.com Hotelkurrajong.com.au Ovolohotels.com Easthotel.com.au Littlenationalhotel.com.au Hotelrealm.com.au Qthotels.com Canberra.crowneplaza.com

BORN AND BREWED IN CANBERRA

Find our range of award winning beers at www.bentspokebrewing.com.au/beer-finder

Or visit our award winning Brewpub 48/38 Mort St, Braddon ACT 2612

Adventure Travel

12 BEAUTIFUL BEACHES ON THE WEST COAST Western Australia boasts a cool 20,000 kilometres of coastline, earning it more spectacular beaches than anywhere else in Australia. From the mainland to the islands, we list 12 of the best.

WORDs:Katrina Holden

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Adventure Travel

GREENS POOL Denmark

On the edge of William Bay National Park in Denmark, more than four hours’ drive south of Perth, visitors can discover one of Western Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Here, at Greens Pool, turquoise waters and rock pools make for great snorkelling, and huge sculpted rock boulders make for photo-worthy sights on a gentle stroll over the headland. The journey to this magical spot is special in itself, as you’ll pass through forests of giant timber trees.

PENGUIN ISLAND Perth

With the star attraction here being petite penguins, it’s easy to see why this is one of Australia’s most prized nature-based attractions. A 45-minute drive south of Perth and a five-minute ferry ride will get you to the island, where you’ll find the smallest penguins in the world. At the Discovery Centre, rangers host three daily penguin feedings, providing the best opportunity to see these little guys. Penguin Island is in the heart of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, abundant with wildlife including dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, pelicans and seabirds. The island closes from early June to mid-September each year for the winter penguin nesting season. 

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family-friendly beach, just a 20-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. A great swimming beach, suitable for children of all ages, Mullaloo is patrolled on weekends by surf lifesavers. Kids will also lap up the excellent playground facilities and parklands that overlook the beach. Adults might want to pack a rod and head north of the main car park, where you’ll find a popular fishing spot.

LUCKY BAY

Esperance

COTTESLOE BEACH Perth

Arguably Perth’s most popular beach, Cottesloe is the ideal spot for swimming, snorkelling and surfing – not to mention stunning sunsets.

It’s a picturesque favourite among Perth’s 19 white-sand beaches, with shady Norfolk Island pines, smooth lawns and clear waters.

Cottesloe Beach can be reached by car, bus or train from Perth, and if you visit in March, you’ll be treated to an outdoor gallery space when Sculpture by the Sea takes over the foreshore.

MULLALOO BEACH Mullaloo

The calm waters of the Indian Ocean lap against soft white sand at this FROM TOP: Penguin island, Lucky Bay & Mullaloo Beach.

Hailed Australia’s whitest beach, Lucky Bay stretches five kilometres along the coast of Cape Le Grand National Park, a 40-minute drive east of Esperance.

Turquoise waters, squeaky-clean sand, ideal swimming conditions, curious kangaroos and views of the Recherche Archipelago often earn Lucky Bay a top spot in a list of the country’s best beaches. Daily Indigenous cultural and eco-tours depart from Esperance, and a number of walking tracks provide views of migrating whales between July and October.

ROTTNEST ISLAND Perth

Famous for its smiley quokkas, Rottnest Island isn’t just home to these mini marsupials — here you’ll find 20 bays, 63 secluded beaches, and unique coral reefs. Cars aren’t permitted on the island, which lies just 18 kilometres offshore from Perth, so be prepared to walk or hop on a bicycle. Of course, swimming, surfing and snorkelling are other fun options. A popular day trip from the city, Rottnest can be reached in 25 minutes from Fremantle, 45 minutes from Hillarys Boat Harbour or 90 minutes from Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty.

NINGALOO REEF Exmouth

At 300 kilometres long, World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest fringing coral reefs in the world, and can be reached just footsteps from the beach. Visitors can

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Adventure Travel

swim alongside hundreds of colourful, tropical fish and enjoy pristine coral gardens at a number of do-it-yourself snorkelling sites at Exmouth’s Cape Range National Park or Coral Bay. Tours to swim with whale sharks take place between March and August, and other eco-tours to spot sea turtles, humpback whales, orcas, dugong, manta rays and reef sharks are also on offer.

FROM TOP: Snorkelling in Turquoise Bay & sunset at Sugarloaf Rock.

SUGARLOAF ROCK Dunsborough

Sugarloaf Rock in the LeeuwinNaturaliste National Park, three hours’ drive south of Perth, is one of the most photographed seascapes in the state. The striking rock formation is found on the coastline near Cape Naturaliste. Despite the powerful swell, experienced fishermen attempt the challenge at the edge of the rock, but if you’d prefer to stay on safe ground, set foot on the Cape to Cape track, which takes in sights of Sugarloaf Rock and other spectacular vistas over the Indian Ocean.

Eighty Mile Beach stretches endlessly with pure white sand. Offering solitude, it’s a well-known area for fishing and bird-watching, and each year an astonishing half a million migratory shorebirds descend here, flying in from their feeding and breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle.

To drive, it’s about two-and-a-half hours north of Port Hedland, or four hours south of Broome.

MEELUP BEACH

TURQUOISE BAY

The protected waters and white sands of Meelup Beach have ensured it remains a favourite for holidaying families, and boat owners who drop anchor to enjoy swimming and unwinding here. Surrounded by bushland, the area offers a number of coastal trails where, in spring, you’ll come across vibrant wildflowers and in late winter, perhaps some migrating whales. For a few evenings in summer the full moon rises from the Indian Ocean over Meelup — one of the few beaches in Western Australia to view this ‘staircase to the moon’ spectacle.

Fittingly, the word “Meelup” means “place of the moon rising” in the local Wardandi Aboriginal language.

A standout location in the Cape Range National Park of Exmouth, Turquoise Bay is regularly voted among the top-three best beaches in all of Australia, thanks to the crystalclear waters of Ningaloo Reef Lagoon,

IMAGES: Tourism Western Australia

Dunsborough

Exmouth

brilliant white sands and dense coral beds. The bay is home to hundreds of species of brightly coloured reef fish, as well as sea turtles, whale sharks, reef sharks and stingrays.

MONKEY MIA

Peron Peninsula There’s not a monkey in sight, but dozens of playful dolphins more than make up for it. One of the state’s most famous dolphin-watching destinations, Monkey Mia is where you’ll find pods of the friendly mammals visiting the shores to be handfed. Less than a two-hour flight from Perth, Monkey Mia in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area offers a unique opportunity to get up close to dolphins in their natural habitat.

EIGHTY MILE BEACH Kimberley

In the north of the state, halfway between Broome and Port Hedland, NOV/DEC 2020

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Uluru

Uluru How to do

The Northern Territory’s sacred Uluru might be closed to climbers now but there are countless other ways to admire the ancient monolith. We’ve picked out a few of our favourites.

Words: Samuel Steinberg

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Uluru

Helicopter flight over Uluru Climbing Uluru may have been one of the more sought-after experiences in the Red Centre, but if you were keen to see it from the top, we’ve got something even better. How does an unobstructed aerial view sound? With a handful of operators to choose from, your pilot will double as a tour guide, pointing out various landmarks down below. It’s not just the big red rock out there – keep an eye out for Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Lake Amadeus, too. Some flight routes even include a drop-off at Kings Canyon where you can join a guided walking tour of Kings Creek Station, wander along the creek bed or dive into an Aboriginal cultural tour in nearby Karrke. adrenaline.com.au

Uluru Morning Base Walk I know what you’re thinking.

“Walking is a poor, boring substitute for being able to actually climb Uluru.” But trust me, walking around Uluru can be just as good. For one thing, it isn’t as intense, so for those of you prefer to explore at a more leisurely pace, you can still tag along.

The 10-kilometre base walk can be broken up into sections or tackled all at once. Be sure to check the weather before you set off, pack plenty of water and energising snacks, and wear comfortbale walking shoes (preferably a pair you don’t mind getting covered in red dust). aatkings.com 

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Uluru

Bruce Munro’s Field of Light

Sunset BBQ and Stargazing at Uluru Everybody loves food, that’s just a fact. So, logically, adding food to Uluru can only make it better.

Treat yourself with a BBQ as the sun sets over majestic Uluru and gorge yourself both on amazing food and equally amazing views. Get some dessert while you’re at it and savour the glittering vastness of the Southern Hemisphere’s finest stars. Devoid of all that nasty light pollution in the cities, you’ll get the most fantastic vista of the night sky.

Red Centre Camel Ride Experience Camels. Need I say more? Take a ride on one of the most unique (and surprisingly sassy) animals through the Australian dessert in an experience that turns every day into hump day, literally. For those of you unfamiliar with camel riding, it shouldn’t be much harder than riding a horse. It’ll be a bit bumpier, but that’s to be expected in the Australian outback anyway. Make camels your vehicle of choice and have an unforgettable time cruising around Uluru, snapping a few great pics for the ‘gram while you’re at it. everythingaustralia.com

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Helicopter tour above Uluru, exploring Kata Tjuta, riding around the Red Centre, skydiving in Central Australia, cycling around Uluru, wandering around Kings Canyon & Field of Light.

zipping around the desert, motorbike tours are ideal for true thrill seekers.

And with plenty pf wide open plains at your disposal, there’s plenty of opportunities to let loose. You don’t even need to worry about getting lost.

Uluru is the perfect home base you’ll always be able to find your way back to. Just remember to wear your safety gear – most importantly, a helmet. It might be hot out there but it’s worth getting a little sweaty under those protective layers to save you from real harm should anything go wrong. ulurumotorcycles.com.au

Biking around Uluru The greener, more active alternative to motorcycles, bicycles are also a great choice for exploring Uluru.

There are plenty of trails and small slopes for riding around the area. And with the speed boost over walking, you might actually be able to go around the entire site. But make sure to pack plenty of water. Powering a bike in the blazing Australian sun is sure to work up a good thirst. And again, don’t forget your helmet.

Motorcycle Tours

Skydiving over Uluru

Speaking of vehicles, you can’t forget good old-fashioned motorcycles. As the fastest and most thrilling way of

For some people, seeing the grand landscape from a helicopter just isn’t enough. If that’s you, maybe a breezy 

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IMAGES: Tourism NT, Shaana McNaught, Jordan Hammond, Uluru Motorcycle Tours, Skydive Uluru, Laura Bell, Mitchell Cox and Henry Brydon.

People say the Aurora Australis is one of the most breathtaking and colourful things a person can see. You probably won’t catch it while you’re at Uluru, but don’t worry; Bruce Munro’s Field of Light might be even better.

The installation is a wonderful array of vivid lights set up just outside Uluru’s vicinity. The Field of Light turns the figurative sacred images of Uluru into a reality. Prepare to be dazzled by 50,000 coloured stems of light in a display that gives the Auroras a run for their money. ayersrockresort.com.au

Uluru

skydive will give you the excitement you desire. Feel the outback wind against your, well, everything as you plummet to the dessert below. If the wind doesn’t force your eyes shut or you aren’t busy screaming, the chance to see Uluru and the sprawling area around it certainly isn’t something you want to miss. Sure, climbing Uluru might have gotten your heart rate up but skydiving will give it the proper jolt to make you really feel alive. skydiveuluru.com.au

Visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) While nothing quite compares to mighty Uluru, it’s not the only thing out there in the middle of Australia.

Only 25 kilometres away are the towering rock formations of Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas. In fact, the tallest dome, Mount Olga, is 1,066 metres above sea level, making it 198 metres taller than Uluru itself. If you book a guided tour or seek out a local ranger, you’ll get a special insight into the history of the land, its Indigenous significance and the unique flora and fauna that populate the area. A trip out here is a great way to break up your Uluru adventure. parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru NOV/DEC 2020

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AUSBIZ NEWS

BRAINFOOD Bringing you the latest insight and analysis Words: BETHANY PLINT

BUSINESS TRAVEL IN THE AGE OF COVID-19 The tourism sector in Australia is still reeling from the impact of COVID-19 but with border restrictions loosening is returning for leisure travellers.

But what about business travel?

Whether or not a Zoom call can adequately replace an in-person conference or meeting altogether is a separate arguement, but there are still plenty of questions circling around what Australia’s business travel sector will look like in a post-COVID world.

Many businesses within the tourism sector have had to be agile when it comes to navigating through this challenging time. Many travel insurance

providers, for example, have shifted to a closer-to-home approach, extending their offerings to provide support to travellers who may be impacted by COVID-19 during their trips. One in particular has honed in on business travel during the pandemic.

World Travel Protection, previously specialising in international insurance policies, has since redirected its focus to domestic travel insurance for business travellers.

Dr Stephen Rashford, says travellers should assess the entire trip, from arriving at their destination. This could include using a Maxi Cab to put extra space between them and the driver, avoiding public transport, and

monitoring movement through the airport in crowded spaces such as check-in and security screening.

Further, Dr Rashford suggests checking whether the meeting place or conference venue has a COVID-Safe plan. Rooms should have capacity limits with allocated seating. And while it may feel awkward or unusual, Dr Rashford recommends individuals avoid shaking hands with business partners and colleagues.

On an organisational level, Adrian Leach, World Travel Protection’s CEO, strongly encourages businesses to develop and implement an internal education campaign to equip employees with the knowledge and resources needed to conduct business travel safely now and in the future.

NOV/DEC 2020

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BUY OUR AWARD-WINNING BEERS ONLINE Or visit Tumut River Brewing Co’s 1,500 litre brewhouse with adjoining bar and restaurant. We proudly showcase 24 taps of TRBC’s beers along with a small range of other locally sourced beer, wine, cider and food.

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Website: www.trbc.com.au Address: Capper Street, Tumut. NSW, 2720 Search for 'Tumut River Brewing' on Facebook, Insta and Twitter

Big spring flush for Australian dairy Australia’s dairy industry is set to break a three-year downturn as milk production climbs above nine billion A newly-released sector report attributes the spike in production to timely rainfall across Australia’s ‘dairy belts’,

Agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s senior dairy follows a turnaround in production seen halfway through The report highlights the dairy farming regions in The ongoing recovery in milk supply means Australia’s exportable surplus will alleviate some cost pressures for dairy producers and may also encourage dairy exporters Closer to home, however, sales growth is plateauing

India to begin brewing with Aussie barley The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) is in talks with key stakeholders in the Indian brewing and malting

restaurants and cafes remains well below levels in recent years reached its expiry date, the AEGIC swooped in to capitalise on the opportunity that could address the growing demand

Australian barley industry is working to ensure Australia The new trade agreement would go a long way in softening cent of Australian barley in May, and their announcement of a

SMALL BUSINESSES GIVING BACK In a time where some businesses are holding on for dear life, struggling every day to stay afloat, it is incredibly surprising in the most heart-warming way to hear how many of them are taking what little they are making and sharing it with those who might need it more.

Since COVID-19 hit, we’ve seen countless businesses pivot in order to weather the storm but in a rather unanticipated move, a lot have gone down the charitable giving path. It seems these businesses have stayed true to the “we’re all in this together” sentiments from earlier in the year that many have since forgotten.

One such business, Victorian-based tourism operator Kangaroo Jack, has gained a swathe of media attention and even celebrity coverage from their new partnership with a local Indigenous not-for-profit. Teaming up with the Wadawurrung Indigenous Community

at the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Torquay tour operator is now manufacturing face masks that feature authentic Indigenous artwork and donating the profits to a community leadership program that supports disadvantaged Indigenous youth in the area.

Reporting a 55% increase in annual profit, Kangaroo Jack’s owner, David Zaffina shares his elation with the success of the partnership, despite having faced dire challenges in recent months: “Only 7 weeks ago, the business was really struggling, surviving on JobKeeper from the devastating effects on the Australian Tourism Industry due to lockdown restrictions in Victoria, so the community has really got behind us and the support has been amazing!”

Another small business, Sydney-based organic skincare brand Aromababy, have opted to add masks to their offerings, too. However, this time

the buyer has the option to choose where their donation goes. For each cotton face mask sold, Aromababy will donate an additional mask to a local hospitality business, or one bottle of Aromababy to a charity caring for mothers and babies during the pandemic.

These are just two of the countless small businesses not only seeing the bigger picture but acting on it to aid others through rough seas.

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Introducing Internet-enabled corrections for your base station • Replaces UHF radios • Works with all brands of GNSS • From $99 + GST per month 6

AusBiz.

Buy online today positionpartners.com.au/mirtk

SPECIAL PROMOTION

MiRTK: A refreshing alternative to UHF radios for RTK corrections IF YOU’VE worked on a construction site with base stations in the past 20 years, there’s a solid chance you’ve worked with UHF radios as well. UHF radios have been a staple for site communications and GNSS (Global Navigation Satelite System) corrections across Australia for years, but that hasn’t made them immune to radio interference, UHF radios have a history of

Yet despite the issues that plague UHF radios, they’re consistently found on construction sites from Sydney to Port Augusta. The main reason why? Nothing was invented to replace them.

WHAT CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY: “I’d say, in ideal conditions, UHF and MiRTK are probably the same, the only problem is, we don’t work in ideal conditions and often there’s interference on the UHF and you just don’t get any of those problems on MiRTK.” “MiRTK pretty much runs without a hitch. We haven’t had any problems or black spots that we see with UHF radios. It’s working really well.”

“MiRTK gives us much better signal in areas where we’d previously had to setup radio repeaters. As far as setting up machines to use MiRTK it was really simple and only took a few minutes.”

Everyone in the industry simply accepted that this was the way life was going to be on-site; that the radios were an improvement and they should just be happy they’re not doing things the old-fashioned way. However, when you’re working with a 20-year-old product in the 21st century, you have to wonder why no one has thought of a better option.

Now imagine having a little modem that you slot onto your tripod, plug into your base station (regardless of its age or brand), power it on then leave it to run for up to 20 hours straight. No MiRTK is an annual subscription service, but unlike the UHF radio licences, you don’t have to

TOP BENEFITS OF MIRTK 1. Works with all brands of GNSS 2. Uses all satellite constellations 3. Reliable corrections via internet rather than UHF 4. Simple subscription, no repeaters or complex licences

With pricing from $99 + GST a month, it is a simple and cost effective option that can be swapped between any GNSS system, wherever it’s working, with no additional costs or set up.

Not only this but the MiRTK hardware is brand agnostic, no matter if you have a Topcon, Trimble, Leica, Sokkia, Hemisphere, Carlson or any other brand of GNSS unit, MiRTK will work with it. This saves you having to hire or buy multiple units for the various GNSS units you use regularly. Want to know more? Get in touch the Position Partners team to get all the details. positionpartners.com.au NOV/DEC 2020

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beyond anxiety

BUSINESS IN THE WORKPLACE

REMOTE WORKING: AUSTRALIA’S POST-PANDEMIC REALITY Andy Hurt, Managing Director of communication technology company Poly, shares his predictions for the future of remote working in Australia.

Words: ANDY HURT COVID-19 has caused the biggest disruption to business in living memory.

The impact has advanced far beyond initial predictions to become the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression with higher job losses and more industries affected.

While coping with the lockdown was the initial focus of most organisations, Australian businesses are now looking to navigate what the new normal will be as we emerge from the pandemic.

With most of the world still at a high level of crisis, what is appropriate for business here? How can Australian companies return to business-as-usual – if that even exists anymore?

REMOTE WORK: THE NEW NORMAL Remote work was initially envisioned as a way for companies to carry on through the lockdown. Now, it looks like it’s becoming the new normal, particularly in the form of “hybrid working” where employees may switch work. Organisations that were previously sceptical about allowing remote work have now been forced to just business continuity, but higher work-life balance. Employees no longer waste hours every day commuting.

Thanks to advances in communication technology, we have reached a point where remote working can be virtually as impactful as being there in person. But for remote work to happen productively, employers need to ensure that the technologies deployed for employee use – laptops, private networks and communication

The quality of communications is critical. Studies have shown that both video and audio quality have a to learn and recall information.

Research by Forbes Insights found that 73 per cent of executives for high growth companies believe improves” the quality of communication. But even with high quality video, having high quality audio remains critical. A study in Sweden found that poor audio affected people’s perception of video.

In Australia, 84 per cent of respondents assume that people will be equipped with video devices and headsets in future, according to an Australian Public Sector survey in June 2020. Further, 80 per cent believe that devices such as headsets and video cameras allow people to be more effective in the workplace.

Employees who need to meet frequently with vendors, partners or customers will need proper teleconferencing technology to replace physical meetings, as well as training on how to replicate face-toface contact as closely as possible.

Employers should also think about their business processes to ensure business continuity. For example, are employee roles and responsibilities made clear if teams are required to be split into smaller groups, with some

LOOKING TOWARDS A DIFFERENT FUTURE Australian technology infrastructure decades. From moving to the cloud to the advent of 5G, affordable and scalable solutions are available more widely now than ever before. But how these technologies are deployed and used is all-important.

Most epidemiologists warn that COVID-19 will not be the last or even the worst pandemic. Other viruses the potential to jump species and cause worse havoc. In the years to come, the coronavirus lockdowns may be seen as the dress rehearsal for something far more severe.

We need to leverage technology to ensure we can have business continuity throughout future crises, from natural disasters to pandemics. Ultimately for businesses to operate successfully in a crisis, it all boils down to the employees and how they can be empowered through technology to work in the best way possible, from anywhere – even quarantine.

working from home?

Another issue is that some employees struggle to work from home. How can they be supported?

What extra channels or ‘virtual water coolers’ might help to create a more holistic workplace experience?

NOV/DEC 2020

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WHAT’S NEW From drilling machines to excavators, crushing and grinding equipment – the mining industry requires a dizzying array of machinery and technology to carry out its work. These tools are constantly evolving to meet new safety requirements and output targets. Here’s a round up of what’s just hit the scene.

Words: DARREN BAGULEY

IN MACHINERY? 10

AusBiz.

MINING MACHINERY

Jayben S60 REMOTE CONTROLLED MINING SCALER Claimed by the Jayben Group as a

Image: Jayben Group

material that has built up

anywhere in the world to enable

jayben.com.au NOV/DEC 2020

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MINING MINERALS

Bis Razor UNDERGROUND GRADER IMDEX Blast Dog BLAST OPTIMISING FIELD ROBOT Industries on the podium at the

“The Bis Razor is the first all-new underground grader to come onto the market in 20 years.”

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Bortana EV DUAL CAB UTE

LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: UFR AUTOPILE, UFR AUTOLOG, BORTANA EV & BIS RAZOR

Images: Bis Industries, Universal Field Robots and Safescape.

“Bortana is based on the Agrale Marruá, a heavyduty, corrosion resistant Brazillian vehicle.”

NOV/DEC 2020

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AUSTRALIAN

HEMP INDUSTRY ON THE RISE

One of the world’s oldest cultivated plants, industrial hemp fell afoul of concern about its cousin, marijuana; but 80 years after production was banned, it’s now legal to cultivate under licence in all Australian states and territories.

Words: DARREN BAGULEY

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AusBiz.

Image: Nick Parkinson, Afends.

AGRIBUSINESS

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AGRIBUSINESS

THE HISTORY OF HEMP in Australia is as old as European settlement; when the First Fleet arrived in 1788, it carried Cannabis sativa seeds onboard. Hemp was a strategic commodity for Great Britain. The Royal Navy was the dominant sea power and kilometres of hemp would be used to rig and caulk the timbers of a man o’ war while the ship’s sails and its crew’s clothing were made of hemp.

At the time, the Empire depended on Russian-grown hemp for its supply with its accompanying strategic and geopolitical risks. As a result, the Admiralty planned to establish large hemp crops in the new penal colony.

A hemp industry was established in Australia but in the 1920s and 1930s it ran afoul of prohibitionists concerned about marijuana. According to an industry overview published by AgriFutures Australia, “There are over 2,000 different varieties or strains of C. sativa, which are botanically alike but differ in their chemical makeup.

The C. sativa plant contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which at high concentrations is a psycho-

active or mind-altering ingredient.

In 90% of C. sativa varieties, the concentration of THC in leaves and and deemed harmless.”

In his book, Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, author and investigative Journalist, Johann Hari, details how the head of the US Department of Prohibition, Harry Anslinger, shifted emphasis to marijuana and other narcotic drugs when he realised the end of Prohibition would make his department redundant.

At the same time, powerful business interests associated with nylon and cotton saw the opportunity to take out a competing industry by playing up the connection with marijuana as they lobbied governments. As a result, from the late 1920s onwards, cultivation of Cannabis was outlawed in the US for industrial hemp.

LEFT: HEMP BEDDING FROM HEMP CLOTHING AUSTRALIA AND HEMP CLOTHING FROM AFENDS. RIGHT: HEMP CROPS GROWING IN AUSTRALIA & A BAG OF DRIED HEMPS SEEDS.

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STRUGGLING WITH STIGMA It wasn’t until the early 2000s that Australian state governments started to make a distinction between the low-THC varieties of industrial hemp and marijuana. In November 2017, the Food Standards Code was amended to permit the sale of low THC hemp seed foods for consumption and when the Northern Territory made it possible to grow industrial hemp under licence earlier this year, it became a legal crop in every state and territory. THC is limited to below 1 per cent in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland and 0.35 per cent in other states.

The reason growers must apply for a licence is that industrial hemp is not recognised as a farming commodity.

Instead, industrial hemp (even with the Cannabis under the ‘Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981’.

According to James Vosper, president of the Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance, “The growing location must be approved by the State Government, i.e. no public access, not near schools et cetera, and growers need to agree to inspections and monitoring by state government inspectors.”

Although the legalisation of low THC hemp seed foods for consumption unfortunately coincided with the onset of drought in Eastern Australia, hemp cultivation is growing. In 2011, there was 185.5 hectares nationwide and in 2020 there are around 2,500 hectares under hemp, with Tasmania the leading state for hemp growing.

"The anti-marijuana movement has set the hemp industry back decades, however, some serious R & D effort is being put into the crop."

WHY GROW HEMP? Some proponents claim almost miraculous properties for hemp, however, it’s not a silver bullet according to Vosper.

Nonetheless, hemp has some outstanding qualities. It is more water

germination. It is fairly pest resistant in the Australian environment and because it grows so rapidly, it outcompetes most weeds which negates or greatly reduces the need for herbicides or cultivation.

With a large, vigorous root system, sequestration. The portion of the hemp plant known as the hurd can be used to produce hempcrete, a concrete replacing building material that

hard-wearing fabric similar to cotton.

According to Vosper, “it has been used to clean up contaminated industrial sites as its root system takes up substances such as gold, lead, cadmium and nickel from the soil. The Russians used hemp to decontaminate around Chernobyl in the 1990s.”

Hemp can be grown anywhere lucerne grows well, says Vosper.

Although primarily grown in the summer months, in some parts of Australia it is possible to harvest two crops per year. Harvesting of hemp for is shed but before the seed sets, which Harvesting for seed would occur four when 60 to 70 per cent of the seed has ripened. Watching for signs that birds are stripping the seeds off the plant is a good way to tell that seeds are ready for harvest. Hemp is sown by a conventional disc drill and harvested by good quality sickle-bar mowers and hay swathers.

FUTURE OF HEMP IN AUSTRALIA

FAST FACTS

The anti-marijuana movement has set the hemp industry back decades and it is still regarded as an emerging industry, however, some serious R & D effort is starting to be put into the crop.

The Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance has received funding from AgriFutures Australia to conduct trials across the country, but especially in Northern Australia, to determine what strains of C. Sativa grow best and where.

Although hemp grows best in subtropical and tropical climates in

• Industrial hemp is grown from Cannabis Sativa, fast growing herbaceous plants with a minimal concentration of the mind-altering substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) • Industrial hemp is grown for seeds or fibre, usually not both • There is a wide range of uses for industrial hemp’s fibre and seeds ranging from textiles and cosmetics, to building materials, biofuels and food.

a moderately humid atmosphere, Tasmania is currently the major hemp growing state as it sourced cool climate varieties from Canada which legalised hemp growing in 1998.

In 1941 Henry Ford built a Model T which had a body incorporating bioplastic made from hemp and it ran on fuel derived from hemp seeds.

As we face a warming world choked with non-biodegradable plastics while

of the 10,000-year-old C. Sativa.

NOV/DEC 2020

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COVER STORY

COVID OF THE BEE WORLD Words: Ian Neubauer

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AusBiz.

AS HARD AS COVID-19 is on humanity, take a moment to think about the European honey bee and the Varroa mite – also know as Varroa destructor – a parasitic mite that

“When they say 'destructor' they really mean it,” says Daniel Webb, a

apprenticeship in New Zealand a

NOV/DEC 2020

19

KOMBUCHA

COVER STORY

"In Australia, 65 per cent of horticultural and agricultural crops grown in Australia require honey bees for pollination."

Images: CSIRO

“In commercial terms,” he continues, “the contagion tripled the number of inspections beekeepers needed to do each year to keep hives healthy, which honey in New Zealand because honey cannot be imported to the country.”

With the exception of four islands of Hawaii and southeastern Libya, Australia is the only beekeeping country in the world free of the Varroa mite. Not that the destructor hasn't tried to reach our bees.

“In 2018, we intercepted a swarm of honey bees carrying Varroa off the Port of Melbourne that had built a hive inside a container on a ship that originated from the US,” says Dr John Roberts, the research scientist leading bee pathology research at the CSIRO. “In that instance, the swarm was

detected before it left the ship and before the ship reached port.”

But next time, Roberts says, Australia's biosecurity experts might not be so lucky. “I don't have a crystal

But it's not just the price of honey that's affected. While collecting nectar – the substance they use

community for a long time has been that Varroa is now found everywhere else in the world and it is just a matter of time before it makes landfall in Australia.”

By carrying out this vital task known as pollinating, bees facilitate the production of one-third to threequarters of all food on the planet.

In Australia, 65 per cent of horticultural and agricultural crops grown in Australia require honey bees for pollination, according to information provided at a 2014 Senate inquiry into the Future of Beekeeping.

But unlike many other developed countries that use managed honey bees to pollinate crops, most of our horticultural and agricultural industries rely on unmanaged feral honey to

FOOD SECURITY

North America has been especially hard hit by the Varroa mite. Parts of the US have reported annual colony losses of up to 30 per cent, with many American beekeepers now reliant on Varroa-free queen bees imported from Australia.

honey bees spread pollen or

NOV/DEC 2020

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COVER STORY

pollinate crops – making us particularly vulnerable to sudden declines in feral honey bee populations.

“I think that's the biggest point to get across,” says Webb. “If and when Varroa arrives in Australia, beekeepers can manage Varroa in their hives with more frequent inspections. But if it decimates feral bee populations, we will be completely reliant on farmed bees to pollinate our crops.”

It's a view shared by CSIRO Pollination Researcher Dr Saul Cunningham: “Our managed bee pollination services would be hardpressed to meet the extra demand required to replace the key role feral bees play. So the outcome would likely be a drop in crop production and a rise in prices of popular food staples like fruit and veggies.”

And Varroa is not the only mite threatening honey bees in Australia and their massive contribution to our food security. “Another serious risk for us that I am working on now,” says Dr Roberts, “is the Tropilaelaps mite.

It's an external mite, like the Varroa,

native to the giant honey bees of Asia but even more damaging. It isn't a global threat yet but it recently spread to Papua New Guinea, right on our northern doorstep.”

PLAN B

So how did the Varroa mite penetrate New Zealand, which, like Australia, is one of the most biosecure countries on Earth?

“With any security system, there are always unpredictable things that can happen,” says Dr Roberts. for the worst with a good plan.” surveillance at ports and other locations considered the most likely entry point of the Varroa mite in Australia, the CSIRO has devised a high tech early-warning system that looks out for changes in the normally predictable behaviour of bees.

The solution comprises microsensors, each measuring 2.5mm x 2.5mm, that scientists in Hobart are

backs of the bees. The bees are then released into the wild, where the micro-sensors work like vehicle e-tag systems to send data to receivers placed strategically around beehives to identify individual bees' movements.

By modelling bee movement, scientists can help identify outbreaks and isolate them from the larger bee population. To date, more than one million bees have been tagged – the of insects have been monitored.

“We call them bees with backpacks,” says Paulo de Souza, an expert in micro-sensors at the CSIRO leading the study. “But this is not about bees or microchips or technology. This is about the future of our planet.”

DID YOU KNOW? • Bees can recognise individual humans the same way we do, by cobbling together lips, ears and other organs to make out a whole face

Images: CSIRO

• Some bees are thrillseekers. Others are more timid. A US study even found that agitated honeybees can be pessimistic, and may have feelings

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SPECIAL FEATURE

HOW GOVERNMENT CAN BEST SUPPORT SMEs DURING THE PANDEMIC AND BEYOND 24

AusBiz.

Image: XXXXXXXXXXX

Small businesses struggle at the best of times so it’s no secret that over a third of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia are feeling pessimistic about how they’ll survive the next three months.

Words: Libby-Jane Charleston

NOV/DEC 2020

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SPECIAL FEATURE

THE AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS’ latest survey of COVID-19 business impacts shows 35 per cent of small businesses

just 18 per cent of large companies).

Dr Andrei Lux and Dr Flavio Macau from Edith Cowan University researched 223 business owners.

SME is struggling, it is not only due to an individual entrepreneurs’ personal resources and capabilities; the local business environment also plays a major role.

Dr Lux and Dr Macau believe governments need to focus on.

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AusBiz.

1. SMES NEED GOOD ADVICE “Our research shows that access to professional advice, including tax, difference to small business outcomes.

During an economic downturn, spending on these services can be when they’re needed most, as business owners face tough decisions, such as whether to borrow to keep their says Dr Lux, lecturer in Leadership and Organisational Behaviour.

“Governments will need to ensure that professional services are available and accessible to small businesses on According to Dr Macau, senior lecturer in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics, sometimes the advice is there and small businesses don't know about it or how to access it.

“Business owners may know about

the advice and think it is too complicated, off-limits or rigged.

Governments could step up and teach business owners even more on how to take the most value from the services Macau. “It can be frustrating but like Sisyphus, it is governments' job to roll

2. PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH The pandemic has already put the spotlight on mental health around the world, as many are struggling to Research by Dr Macau and Dr Lux shows that business owners’ mental health resources have a direct effect “The mental strain of the pandemic, lockdown, and subsequent economic downturn, is making things even harder for small business owners. That’s why it is particularly important for

"Local government support groups could help business owners facing what is possibly the greatest professional challenge of their lives."

governments to support small business owners’ mental health as part of their “There is much talk on how the pandemic affects our mental health but not that much on how we can persevere and heal. Local government support groups could help business owners facing what possibly is the greatest professional challenge of

3. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT Dr Lux and Dr Macau maintain small businesses should be given a real advantage in procurement and that all policies and processes are clear, protective and accessible to the “small ensure that access to this help is not the large corporations.

Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, has

proposed that federal government contracts worth up to A$10 million go through a small business panel as part of the tender process. Dr Lux and Dr Macau agree with Ms Carnell’s statement that “lowest cost is not

4. ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BUY LOCAL Buying local is more important than ever before. Dr Lux says the reason is explained by the 'velocity of money'.

“Let’s say you get paid $10, and you use that $10 to buy dinner from a local take-out, that pays the chef's wages, who then uses that $10 to take an uber home, the uber driver pays that $10 to a babysitter, who then uses it to buy groceries. That $10 has produced $50 worth of economic value for your However, Dr Lux claims there are two big problems with this: “You buy from a company based overseas—the same

process happens, but over there, and that $10 (and the subsequent $50) have left our community. Also, if you buy from a big business, even one that's Australian owned, some of that process still happens because those goods/services are provided by Australian workers, but wealthy business owners tend to just add the taking that money out of the economy.

That's why it's so important to spend at local businesses in a recession, so that According to Dr Macau, buying local is best for everyone.

“The best-case scenario is when you buy local because it is the best offer, reliability and speed. Where possible, local must be stimulated to excel globally, expanding to not only ensure that the money stays local but also that it is attracted from the outside to the community," says Dr Macau.

NOV/DEC 2020

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Plant

POWER words: BETHANY PLINT

INDUSTRY PLANT POWER

IMAGINE, IT’S 2024. Every restaurant in your town has a dedicated vegan menu with more than just a garden salad and mushroom risotto on offer. Beyond Meat is reasonably priced. Non-dairy milks now come in 2L bottles rather than tiny, two-cuppa Tetra Paks.

Cadbury has recreated their entire range with almond milk. Life is good. but it’s one that will likely resonate with the 2.5 million Australians whose diet consists almost solely of vegetarian food (according to a recent study by market research company, Roy Morgan).

It may also pique the interest of the approximately 10 million Australians who have reported they are consuming less red meat on a regular basis.

‘Plant-based’ is no longer a buzz term. It’s just the most recent iteration of a lifestyle choice that has been reshaped and repositioned for marketing purpose time and time again. Those who have adopted the plant-based lifestyle – whether in part or in full – now enjoy a far less abrasive reaction when discussing their dietary choices with meat eaters. People were once met with concern from meateaters if they admitted to not eating a hunk of beef everyday, but discussions around plant-based eating are much more open today. Or, perhaps, the notion has been around long enough that people simply don’t care anymore.

There are plenty of other divisive topics to discuss these days.

The proliferation of widely recognised research supporting the

Image: Fable Food Co

has helped society reach a general consensus – “it’s not for everyone but movement still faces strong resistance from Australia’s farming industry.

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INDUSTRY PLANT POWER

Farming has and always will be an integral part of the Australian economy, as well as our wider culture. In fact, we dedicate 58 per cent of our land to it.

With a $65 billion valuation across production – and more than 50 per cent of this being tied to animal agriculture (Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2020, ABARES) – it’s unsurprising that those with vested interests are concerned about meat alternatives disrupting the industry.

However, the aim of many of these companies is not to put farmers out of business, but rather to offer an alternative that allows consumers to diversify their diet with different plant-based protein options.

When posed with the notion of going plant-based, most consumers turn their nose up at the idea of dry chickpea patties, kale-infused sausages and other bland products dressed up as their carnivorous favourites. But the meat-alternative market is becoming increasingly plump with established food producers and start-ups creating products that are convincing enough to make even the most die-hard meat eaters do a double take.

THIS PAGE: UPTON'S NATURALS JACKFRUIT OPPOSITE: FABLE PLANT-BASED MEAT

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AusBiz.

BUT IT DOESN’T TASTE AS GOOD…

Fable is considered the gold standard of meat alternatives in Australia.

Headquartered on the Sunshine Coast with a development kitchen in Melbourne, the three brains behind the taste of meat. “One of life’s greatest pleasures is biting into a juicy burger or getting elbow deep in a they concede on their website. "But the challenge is, there are some major issues with how we produce and primarily to the huge environmental impact of excessive meat consumption in Australia. The CSIRO found that greenhouse emissions from Australian diets are 200 per cent higher than those of a typical high-income country, placing the blame on meat-heavy diets.

Fable’s answer to this issue is by basing their products around the humble shiitake mushroom. Needing only a few other ingredients – coconut mushrooms have the same natural so appealing which means processing is kept to a minimum.

BUT IT’S EXPENSIVE…

One of the main hurdles when it comes to uptake is cost versus demand – the more consumers who want the product, the more companies who are willing to produce it. More competition in the market means lower prices for the consumer and, thus, a higher uptake by individuals whose main barrier to entry is cost.

One Australian plant-based meat startup is about to blow that cost barrier out of the water. v2food, the creators of Hungry Jacks’ Rebel Whopper, have picked up contracts with Marley Spoon and Dinnerly since striking their deal with the fast food giant in 2019. Their most recent win – signing a deal with

Woolworths to carry their products in over 600 stores around the country – is a big step forward in their mission to make plant-based meat a regular item on Aussie dinner tables. Understanding that there will not be mass acceptance of meat alternatives until value is comparable to their animal equivalent, v2food has launched their products with a retail price of $8.50 for 500g of mince, on par with Woolworths’ own lean beef mince.

The founder and CEO of v2food, Nick Hazell, cites population growth and the subsequent increasing demand for protein sources as the driving force of “some of the greatest health, food security and sustainability challenges but people’s habits are only going to change if they have alternatives that taste just as good as the real thing, at a fair price and which can be easily This is where v2food aims to outshine its competition.

BUT I DON’T HAVE TIME TO COOK...

The sheer abundance of plant-based meal delivery kits from names like HelloFresh, Purple Carrot and Pepper Leaf are a nod to the increasing demand for high-quality, tasty meals that don’t require any animal products.

The issue for many is that they don’t have the estimated 30 minutes to an hour required to produce most of these recipes. That’s where ready-toeat meals and pre-seasoned meat alternatives are rising up in a big way.

Upton’s Naturals, for example, has just entered the Australian market to address the demand for easy-toprepare, wholefood meat alternatives.

Their hero product, Uptons’ Naturals Jackfruit, is positioned as a substitute for recipes that call for pulled pork, pre-seasoned, heat-and-serve pouches

and Chilli Lime to Bar-B-Que, Sriracha and Sweet and Smoky.

When you consider the resources required to produce one kilogram of beef, for example, the output for crops such as rice, grains, beans, fruit and vegetables is substantially higher – a study conducted by the Livestock, Environment and Development Initiative (LEAD) found that one kilogram of beef requires twenty times more water than plant-based protein such as chickpeas.

Counter arguments against the agriculture industry shifting to plantbased alternatives vary from the sheer volume of plants needed to meet caloric requirements to the fact that a large portion of land that is currently used for grazing is not suitable for growing suitable crops. If the demand for plantbased alternatives continues to grow exponentially as predicted, Australian farmers are posed with an opportunity, though some might see it as an ultimatum: embrace plant power or lose out to overseas producers who are already ahead of the curve.

"The meat-alternative market is becoming plump with products that are convincing enough to make die-hard meat eaters do a double take."

NOV/DEC 2020

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SOLUTIONS:

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T R A K Y R R E B N A R C

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D O

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